Russia tries to exploit divisions in Syria’s north – US official
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The US said on Friday that Russia seeks to exploit divisions across northern Syria as Turkey escalated military attacks against Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Answering Newsweek’s question during a virtual press call, National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby raised concern over the Turkish operations in northern Syria that may affect the SDF and the US ability to stay partnered with them.
Since November 20, 2022, Turkish air force has launched intense airstrikes on all Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES)-held areas on Syrian-Turkish border in addition to bombarding areas which are more than 40 km away from the border such as the Global Coalition military base and Hawl Camp in Hasakah and the village of Makman in the northern countryside of Deir ez-Zor.
Kirby acknowledged that Russia will try to take advantage of whatever divisions they can for their own benefit.
“The Russians have been trying to capitalize on internal divisions from any number of actors inside and outside, in the neighborhood, to prop up the Assad regime to try to keep their toehold in the Middle East through Syria, and to continue to support Mr. Assad’s war on his own people,” Kirby added.
On November 18, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mevlut Cavusoglu, said in a statement to al-Arabiya Channel that his country’s troops continue to launch operations in Syria and Iraq.
This came after Istanbul blast that took place on November 13, killing six people and injuring about 80 others.
On November 20, Commander in Chief of the SDF, Mazloum Abdi, said that Turkish airstrikes on areas in northern Syria have nothing to do with Istanbul blast, as Turkey has been preparing for the attack for a year.